COLLEGE FOOTBALL 2014 PRESEASON TOP 25

#55 UCF Knights

NATIONAL FORECAST

#55

American Athletic PREDICTION

#3

The 2014 college football season starts on Aug. 27 and continues into mid-January with the first edition of the four-team playoff. Athlon Sports is counting down until kickoff with projections and previews for all 128 FBS teams. Here is our team preview for No. 55 UCF.

Previewing UCF’s Offense for 2014:

UCF brings back plenty of weapons on offense from a 12–1 Fiesta Bowl champion squad that averaged nearly 34.6 points per game. One major problem: The Knights will be without the director of that offense. Quarterback Blake Bortles opted to declare for the NFL Draft, leaving a major hole under center and only inexperienced options to replace him. Sophomore Justin Holman, Bortles’ primary backup last season, is the most likely candidate to step in to the starting role. His top challenger will be Boise State transfer Nick Patti, who was granted a waiver to play for the Knights immediately. Holman came out of the spring as the narrow leader over redshirt freshman Pete DiNovo and true freshman Tyler Harris, but Patti has one year of college experience and will push for the job.

With the question mark at quarterback, the biggest issue will be finding a way to get the ball into the hands of the Knights’ playmakers. UCF brings back five receivers, including team leaders Rannell Hall (57 receptions, 886 yards), J.J. Worton (47-721), Breshad Perriman (39-811) and Josh Reese. UAB transfer Jackie Williams adds another solid option out of the slot. Sophomore running back Will Stanback has the size, speed and natural instincts to be an NFL prospect, and he’ll be counted on to replace Storm Johnson as the Knights’ feature back after rushing for 443 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman.

UCF also must replace three starters on the offensive line and will rely on some untested options at tackle.

Previewing UCF’s Defense for 2014:

The Knights’ inexperienced defense used smoke and mirrors to finish 17th in the country in scoring defense last season, allowing just 21.3 points per game. It will be a much stronger unit this season.

UCF returns eight starters and will add two major junior college recruits to the mix in defensive tackle Lance McDowdell and linebacker Errol Clarke. With Freshman All-American Jacoby Glenn back as the top cover corner and senior leader Terrance Plummer still patrolling the middle of the defense at Mike linebacker, UCF brings back its two top defenders.

The Knights are experienced on the back end with senior safeties Clayton Geathers and Brandon Alexander. Sophomore Shaquill Griffin is slotted as the nickel back but will be pushed by an influx of top-end defensive back recruits, including four-star Kyle Gibson and former Alabama commit Chris Williams.

UCF will be bigger, more experienced and more athletic than last season, when it smothered opponents and limited big plays. The Knights allowed 122.5 rushing yards per game, 16th-best in the nation. The biggest concern will be the pass rush; UCF had just 29 sacks last season. The Knights need ends Thomas Niles, Luke Adams and Deion Green to be more effective getting to the quarterback.

Previewing UCF’s Specialists for 2014:

UCF returns the most consistent kicker it has had in recent seasons in senior Shawn Moffitt, who connected on 21-of-23 field goals last season and all 49 extra-point attempts. Punter Caleb Houston also is back after averaging 42.2 yards on 41 punts. The Knights could be more dynamic in the return game. Williams was a threat at UAB, averaging 9.6 yards on 29 punt returns with a touchdown. Worton has been an all-conference returner, and incoming freshman Mike Rogers could also factor.

Final Analysis

UCF will have a tough task replicating its 2013 success without Bortles, but they have the talent in place to put together another strong season. The Knights will rely on a stingy defense to keep them in every game and a pro-style offense that takes few risks but has playmakers at running back and wide receiver. If UCF finds an answer at quarterback, it should once again be a strong contender in the American.

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